The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-01-11
PRESS.
TUESDAY MORNING, JAN. IL.
IN WIG AND GOWN.
London World.

There were three or four men servants stand
ing in the hall, while the old gray headed
butler took up his position ON the steps.
Lord Hayward came and stood by him a few
seconds at time, and listened for the
wheels, and then went back and fdgeted
about the hall, whistling to himself. Evil
IDENTIFY he was very uneasy about something
or other Nobody supposed for a moment
with Lady Hayward; she had never given
him moments uneasiness. She was the
the most precise and perfect of women, al
ways in the right, and fully aware of the
fact and Lord Hayward, who was a very
good fellow. accustomed to regard himself as
not overburdened with brains, was very anx-
ious TO talk to her about something that wor-
ried him.
The house party was large one; in fact,
the castle was full But everybody was up
stairs the first dressing bell having RUG.
Ii Lady Hayward was much longer there
would be no time to speak to her before din-
ner. Why, queried Lord Hayward GROSSLY,
were the down trains on that con1ounoeu
Lady Hayward had been to London to see
her lawyers about some urgent business, anu
leaving Lord Hayward to entertain tne
guests during her short absence, haa gpnss
alone, or rather with her maid. Sne nad
STAYED the night in town, in order 10 Drlng
with her a new dress for ball which was TO
be given at the castle the following evening
AT last the carriage dashed up to the door,
UflNen very last, lUl IuC SOdSAhioh hANH
was late The first person who emerged
from it was an exceedingly quiet looking,
well dressed young w0man-the MAID, EVIL
IDENTIFY She quickly disappeared and was
followed by Lady Hayward, who instantly
seized her husbands arm and began to scold
him, no matter about what-probably be-
cause the train was late. She Scolded In the
most ladylike way; her voice was clear and
Slightly shrill; she herself was like pretty
doll iust-out of bandbox; always dressed
according to the latest Paris fashion, always
perfectly neat and in order and quite aware
of her own good looks; in manners and NOR
ais absolute perfection, and quite aware OF
ii want to speak to you,' said Lord Hay
ward, before you dress; there's just time"
He followed her up to her dressing room,
where tea was waiting on little table by
the fire. Lady Hayward's maid had just put
an easy wrapper temptingly ready, and was
busy getting out a dinner dress for her mis-
II Will ring for you in few minutes. Tay-
lor," said Lady Hayward; and the perfectly
trained servant vanished at once.
81 wonder whether it's that girl, after ALL
exclaimed Lord Hayward; yet itseems inn
Don't talk enigmas,' said Lady Hayward
imperiously, there isn't time. What is the
matter?" She was pouring out her tea as
she spoke, and now began TO sip i.
more things have disappeared, saio Lo ora
HAYWARD in low voice, land this time ~
worse. The old duchess has lost a big dia-
mond ring, and your sisters diamond neck
lace is gone. ann,
lady Hayward put down her tea. What
are we to do Vernon? Who can it be? It's
absurd to talk about Taylor; she was with
me in town.
the things were taken; she may have got riu
of them in London 1t was when You took
her to town with you that your diamond
brooch went.
$50 it was" said Lady Hayward. "But
that makes no difference. The brooch was
taken while we were away. Besides, the
thing is absurd. Taylor is above suspicion,
know the girl so we'll Why, Vernon, she
went with me all through France and Italy
when Joined you in Rome; we were always
together, and used to talk to her great
deal She is very superior girl. No: 1t
would be most unjust to suspect IayloI.
'.Well. there's no one else" said Lord Hay
ward dejectedly, Except poor little Rose
Mannering."
erness who took charge of their one little
aAbsurdp' said Lady Hayward. And so
it was, on the face of it, They knew Rose
Mannering's family well. She was lady,
and little more than a child.
A silence followed, during which both
looked into the fire for inspiration. All the
servants in the house were born Of famlles
who had been for generations on the estate.
Inc lutd Ol SuSpCCtlliS any VI ohCm was WV
painful. Taylor was the only exception, and
She had been with Lady Hayward two years.
81 begin to believe" said Lady Hayward,
shat it is one of our guests"
''Can you suggest anything else Z"
sNo, can't There's some internal dew
iltry at work, but beat my brains as will, l
can't see where it comes FROM
81 tell you what we must do, Vernon,
said Lady Hayward decisiyely. we must
be very careful not to frighten any one and
keep our own counsel Ride over to the
town early tomorrow morning, and teie-
graph to Scotland Yard for q. detective to
come down disguised to the ball. There Will
be so many people the servants won't have
time to notice him. He must stop on as a
visitor until he finds out something"
"That will dop' exclaimed Lord Hay
ward. u,,,a;.u
the bell for Taylor Il must dress at once.
AS he went out he met. the maid in the
doorway, and gave her more curious look
than usual The result was only to give up
his idea as preposterous. She, had very
brushed smoothly over her ears, gave it an
almost Puritanic look. Lady Hayward had
made something OF friend OF her, and the
girl had never presumed i'll the least upon 1t,
but had always retained her subdued, sweet
manner.
Lady Hayward scrutnized her, too, dur
ing the process of dressing, but she shrank
from the thoughts in her own mind. She
had grown fond of her treasure of maid,
and felt ashamed Of herself for her quickly
suppressed suspicious.
Early next morning the telegram was sent
to Scotland Yard by Lord Hayward, who
rode over alone to send it, and waited fol-
the answer. The reply seemed to please
him, and he rode back III good spirits to a
late breakfast He even faced. with moder
ate cheerfulness, Lady Hayward's eldest
sister, who was in frightful state about
her necklace. This lady was one of his pet
aversiOns she was not pretty or clever, like
his wife. but she was more irTeproachable
more moral, more perfect, and she was al
old maid. Probably she was the only person
in the world of whom Lady Hayward wa:
afraid. Miss Collette was a severe censor in
all things, and kept her eyeglass well fixed
on her Younger sister, who had an important
position to iii before the world. AT presen
Miss Collette was very angry because sh'
did not know what was being done abou
the thefts and she held that she oughtst'
have been one of the council. But Lad.
Hayward was obstinate; she had found Oh
before that the exemplary Cecilia could no
hold her tongue.
served, the Scotland Yard detective arrived
as visitor and no one paid any particula
adopted the character OF the man who doe
not dance, or talk or do anything, and it an
swered admirably. A number Of other mel
with superb shirt fronts hung about tn
admirably gotten up for the purpose, an,
had only to mingle with these others ant
look as bored as they. Lady Hayward wa
delighted at this excellent effacement 0
himself and kept her eye on him with grea
interest. She managed to speak to him yer
late. when the party was breaking up. II
had discovered nothing so far-not even
''clew"-and she went to bed disappointed.
Visitors at Hayward castle breakfasted, o
course. at any time during the morning; bu
the family and household always assemblies
TO morning prayers at quarter to 8, an,
breakfast formally began directly afterwards
Mr.. Hawk had learned this, and was in tn
breakfast room early-the only guest pres
ent. No one else turned up but Lord ant
Lady Hayward themselves, Rose Mannering
who always appeared with her charge at thi
time, and the servants. Even Miss Collect
was too tired to come down, though no on
was stricter, theoretically, on the subject 9
family prayers. How grateful was, Lad
HAYWARD, half an hour afterward, that he
sister had been late that morning!
The servants all came in, led by the butte
and the stately housekeeper, and Lord Hay
wood read prayers. Mr.. Hawk sat yer
quietly in the shadow of a curtain.
With all decornm the servants filed GU
again, and Mr.. Hawk did not move. TIL
moment the door closed on the last of ther
he learned over to Lord Hayward.
HMy lord" he said, may the men SCI